Starting your adventure in building or investing in a new home marks the beginning of a thrilling chapter, fraught with possibilities and dreams waiting to be realised. Yet, traversing the construction world’s intricate landscape can be daunting, particularly when confronted with the sector-specific terminology that peppers conversations and documents. At Ninedots Build Advocates, we’re committed to simplifying this journey for you, offering unwavering support across NSW, VIC, QLD, and SA. This comprehensive glossary unravels the complex lingo you’ll likely encounter, empowering you with clarity and understanding. Whether your project is nestled in the heart of NSW, stretches along the VIC coastline, finds its place in the QLD sun, or settles in the SA landscape, this guide walks you through the essential terms of the building process.
A foundational grasp of building terminology not only smoothens interactions with professionals but also empowers you to make informed choices regarding your project. From the materials that will shape your home, through the contracts that safeguard your interests, to the tradespeople who turn blueprints into reality, this glossary illuminates crucial terminology across key categories.
Materials
The selection of materials influences every facet of your home, impacting its aesthetic, comfort, longevity, and maintenance requirements. There are a lot of trademark product names for various products – you’ll note that we’ve been broad here and avoided most brand names, but you’re likely to come across a number of both big and niche brands along the way.
- Aggregate: Granular material, such as sand, gravel, or crushed stone, employed in concrete to enhance strength and bulk.
- Beam: A structural component that spans open spaces, commonly used to support floors or roofs.
- Drywall (Gyprock in Australia): A panel made from gypsum plaster pressed between two thick sheets of paper, utilised for interior walls and ceilings.
- Eaves: The part of a roof that meets or overhangs the walls of a building, offering protection from the elements.
- Flashings: Materials used to prevent water penetration into a building, typically installed around windows, doors, and roofs.
- Laminated Timber: Several layers of timber bonded together with adhesives, utilised for strength and stability in beams and columns.
- Masonry: Construction by laying individual units of material (such as brick, stone, or concrete blocks) and binding them with mortar.
- Sarking: A layer of material placed beneath roof tiles to provide insulation, reflect heat, and prevent moisture ingress.
- Vapour Barrier: Material employed to prevent moisture from penetrating walls and roofs, reducing the risk of mould and structural damage.
- Weatherboard: Overlapping wooden or composite boards affixed to the exterior of a building to provide weather protection.\
- Acoustic Insulation: Material designed to reduce sound transmission.
- Balustrade: A railing supported by balusters, especially an ornamental parapet on a balcony, bridge, or terrace.
- Caulking: Flexible sealing compound used to seal joints in buildings against water, air, dust, and insects.
- Damp Proof Course (DPC): A barrier through a structure designed to prevent moisture rising through capillary action.
- Efflorescence: White powdery substance on concrete, brick, or stone, caused by water evaporation.
- Fascia: A horizontal board attached to the lower ends of the roof trusses, usually supporting the gutter.
- Glazing: Fitting windows with glass.
- Joist: Horizontal structural member used to support a ceiling or floor.
- Kiln-Dried Wood: Lumber that has been dried in a kiln to remove moisture.
- Load-Bearing Wall: A wall that supports the weight of elements above it, in addition to its own weight.
- Plasterer: Specialises in applying plaster for walls and ceilings for a smooth or decorative finish.
- Scaffolder: Erects and dismantles scaffolding to allow workers access to higher levels of a construction site.
- Underpinning Specialist: Strengthens the foundation of an existing building or structure.
- Solar Panel Installer: Installs, maintains, and repairs solar panel systems.
- Steel Fixer: Positions and secures steel reinforcing bars and mesh used to strengthen concrete.
- Terrazzo Worker: Specialises in creating and finishing decorative flooring and walls.
- Upholsterer: Works with fabrics, padding, and springs to create and repair furniture.
- Veneerer: Applies thin layers of decorative wood or materials to surfaces.
- Welder: Joins metal parts together using various welding techniques.
- Zoning Specialist: Advises on land use regulations and assists with obtaining necessary permits.
Explore more on materials at the Master Builders Association website or your state’s Building Authority.
Contracts
Contracts form the backbone of any construction project, delineating the scope, budget, timelines, and legal obligations of all parties involved.
- Contingency: A budgetary provision for unforeseen changes or costs in a construction project.
- Express Warranty: A written guarantee provided by the contractor or manufacturer regarding the quality and longevity of materials or work.
- Liquidated Damages: A pre-agreed sum to be paid if one party fails to fulfil their contractual obligations, such as completing the project on time.
- Progress Payments: Payments made to the contractor at various stages of construction, typically after certain milestones are achieved.
- Retention: A portion of the contract price deliberately held back until the project is satisfactorily completed to ensure all work meets the agreed standards.
- Scope of Work: A detailed description of the work to be performed under a contract, including materials, labour, and services.
- Tender: A formal offer to perform work or supply goods at a fixed price, often part of a competitive bidding process.
- Arbitration Clause: A clause in a contract that provides for arbitration of disputes between the parties.
- Bondsman: A party who provides a bond or guarantee on behalf of another.
- Completion Certificate: A document issued by a competent authority indicating that a building complies with statutory requirements.
- Drawdown: The process of accessing funds from a loan during the construction phase.
- Escrow: A contractual arrangement where a third party receives and disburses money or property for the primary transacting parties.
- Force Majeure Clause: A contract provision that allows a party to suspend or terminate the performance of its obligations when certain circumstances beyond their control arise.
- Guarantee: A formal promise to pay another’s debt or perform another’s obligation in the case of default.
- Indemnity: Security or protection against a loss or other financial burden.
- Joint and Several Liability: A legal term for a liability that is shared by two or more parties, where each party is individually responsible for the entire amount of the obligation.
- Kickback: An illicit payment made to someone in return for facilitating a transaction or appointment.
- Performance Bond: A security provided by a contractor to guarantee their completion of contract obligations.
- Retention Money: Funds withheld by the client as a safeguard against incomplete or faulty work.
- Change Order: A written document between the contractor and the client to add, remove, or change the specifications in the contract.
- Defects Liability Period: A specified time after completion for the contractor to rectify defects.
- Due Diligence: The comprehensive investigation into a project or contract before signing.
- Easement: A right to use another’s property for a specific purpose, e.g., access.
- Lien: A legal claim against a property as security for payment of a debt or obligation.
- Mobilisation Fee: Initial payment to a contractor to cover expenses for beginning work.
- Notice to Proceed: Formal notification to the contractor to begin work on a project.
- Subcontract: A contract issued by the main contractor to hire another contractor to perform a portion of the work.
For detailed contract advice, consult the Housing Industry Association (HIA) or the relevant consumer affairs website in your state.
Trades
Tradespeople are the craftsmen and specialists who transform building plans into reality. Their expertise spans the construction spectrum.
- Bricklayer: Specialises in constructing or repairing surfaces or structures with bricks using mortar.
- Glazier: Installs windows, skylights, and other glass in buildings for both functional and aesthetic purposes.
- Joiner: Works with wood to create doors, window frames, stairs, and other fittings for buildings.
- Landscape Gardener: Designs, implements, and maintains outdoor spaces, including gardens, parks, and recreational areas.
- Roofer: Installs and repairs roofs, using materials such as shingles, bitumen, and metal.
- Stonemason: Crafts and lays stone for buildings, statues, and monuments, specialising in natural and artificial stone.
- Surveyor: Measures and maps land and properties to establish legal boundaries and assist with planning and design.
- Waterproofer: Applies waterproofing systems to prevent water ingress in areas such as bathrooms, basements, and roofs.
- Arborist: A specialist in the care and maintenance of trees.
- Boilermaker: A tradesperson who fabricates and repairs steel, iron, or copper.
- Cabinet Maker: A person who makes fine wood furniture.
- Demolition Contractor: A specialist in safely tearing down buildings and other structures.
- Electrician’s Mate: An assistant who helps electricians by performing duties requiring less skill, such as supplying or holding materials.
- Formworker: A tradesperson who constructs temporary moulds for concrete structures.
- Glazier’s Point: A small, flat piece of metal used to hold glass in place within a frame.
- HVAC Technician: A specialist in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
- Irrigation Technician: A person skilled in installing and maintaining irrigation systems.
- Joinery: The work of making and installing wooden components of a building
- Plasterer: Specialises in applying plaster for walls and ceilings for a smooth or decorative finish.
- Scaffolder: Erects and dismantles scaffolding to allow workers access to higher levels of a construction site.
- Underpinning Specialist: Strengthens the foundation of an existing building or structure.
- Solar Panel Installer: Installs, maintains, and repairs solar panel systems.
- Steel Fixer: Positions and secures steel reinforcing bars and mesh used to strengthen concrete.
- Terrazzo Worker: Specialises in creating and finishing decorative flooring and walls.
- Upholsterer: Works with fabrics, padding, and springs to create and repair furniture.
- Veneerer: Applies thin layers of decorative wood or materials to surfaces.
- Welder: Joins metal parts together using various welding techniques.
- Zoning Specialist: Advises on land use regulations and assists with obtaining necessary permits.
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) provides guidelines on standards for various trades.
Note that these are all generalised definititions and you should always seek professional advice based on your own circumstances.
Further Information
In addition to details on builder contracts, here are five Victorian resources that can provide further information on building a home or investment property:
- Victorian Building Authority (VBA): The VBA offers a wealth of information on various aspects of building in Victoria. They have resources on finding practitioners, understanding contracts, coordinating building work, and how to effectively communicate with your builder. They also provide guidance on resolving common building problems and disputes. For more information, visit VBA’s Building Information.
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: This is an excellent resource for those looking to plan and manage their building or renovation projects. They provide information on dealing with building defects, delays, and insolvency, as well as useful checklists to guide you through the process. Visit Consumer Affairs Victoria for more details.
- Sustainability Victoria: Focused on promoting environmental sustainability, this resource offers insights into energy efficiency in building and renovating. They provide questions to ask your builder about energy efficiency and key principles of energy-efficient design. Check out Sustainability Victoria for resources on sustainable building practices.
- Victorian Government Housing and Property Information: This government portal provides comprehensive information about buying, renting, building, or renovating a home in Victoria. It covers topics like affordable housing, home improvement grants, and advice for first-time homebuyers. For more, visit VIC Government Housing and Property.
- VICSmart Planning Guide: This resource offers information about planning permits in Victoria. It’s useful for understanding the planning process, including permits and applications, and how they relate to your building project. Access more information on planning permits through VICSmart Planning Guide.
These resources should give you a comprehensive overview of what’s involved in building a new home or investment property, and can assist you in making informed decisions throughout your building journey.